Twin agitator washing machine

ABSTRACT

A washing apparatus includes a substantially rectangular washing container having a pair of agitators mounted side by side on one generally vertical sidewall. The agitators are rotatively driven by a motor alternately in a first common direction and a second common direction. A substantially horizontally extending fluid deflector is attached to the sidewall above the agitator for directing fluid from the agitator back into the container.

Waite Smith [45] Jan. 18, 1972 [54] TWIN AGHTATOR WASHING MACI'HNE FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS 72 Inventor: Thomas R. s m Newton, Iowa 1,278,510 10/1961 France ..68/1 31 574,255 3/1958 Italy .68/l31 [73] Assignee: The Maytag Company, Newton, Iowa 156,708 10/1956 Sweden ..68/ l 31 [22] filed: 1969 Primary Examinerwilliam I. Price [21] Appl. No.: 886,118 Att0rneyWilliam G. Landwier and Richard L. Ward [52] ILLS. Cl ..68/l3l, 68/26 [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. ..D06f 17/08 A washing apparatus includes a substantially rectangular [58] Field of Search ..68/ 131, 26, 27 washing container having a pair of agitators mounted side by side on one generally vertical sidewall. The agitators are rota- [56] References Cited tively driven by a motor alternately in a first common direction and a second common direction. A substantially UNITED STATES PATENTS horizontally extending fluid deflector is attached to the 2 630 696 3/1953 casmerm "68/131 sidewall above the agitator for directing fluid from the agitator 3,167,701 1/1965 Lindgren 68/131 x back mm the mama 11 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Z3 Z4 V a. Q m 3; P T

Mn --/0/ I /04 t n 1 t I l 1 t l 1 w i a 26 40 I i! 29 I I f I 3/ J! M 1 H 411ml TWIN AGITATOR WASHING MACHINE I BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention This invention relates to clothes washing machines and more particularly to agitation means operable in a fluid container.

2. Description of the Prior Art There is a continuing search for improved agitating means in a fabric washing machine. It is important that the agitating means be operable for effecting a movement of the fabrics in the body of fluid without the fabrics becoming intertangled or balled up. An oscillatory washing action has been used in prior art to effect fabric movement while avoiding the tangling problems. Some prior art laundry machines, however, use a continuously unidirectionally rotatable agitator mounted on a sidewall and are plagued by tangling, balling up," or bogging down of the fabrics.

The need for a compact low-cost washing apparatus has placed increased impetus toward the development of a fabric washing means using sidewall mounted, continuously rotating, agitators that can be produced economically yet which are efficient and operable without the problems heretofore encountered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the instant invention to provide an improved washing apparatus having sidewall mounted agitators.

It is a further object of the instant invention to provide an improved washing apparatus including twin agitators mounted on a substantially vertical wall of a rectangular washing container.

It is a further object of the instant invention to provide twin agitators mounted on a substantially vertical wall and alternately rotatable in first and second directions.

It is still a further object of the instant invention to provide an improved washing apparatus including twin wall-mounted agitators and fluid deflector means disposed above the agitators for directing fluid from the agitators back into the fluid container.

These objects are achieved in a washing machine having a pair of agitators, in one embodiment, mounted on a generally vertical sidewall of a generally rectangular container with the axis of rotation of the agitators being substantially parallel. The agitators may be rotated in first one direction and then the other to achieve the desired washing action.

Operation of the device and further objects and advantages thereof will become evident as the description proceeds and from an examination of the accompanying four sheets of drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention with similar numerals referring to similar parts throughout the several views, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a simplified perspective view of a laundry machine including washing and centrifuging portions;

FIG. 2, shown on the second sheet of drawings, is a front elevational view of the laundry machine of FIG. 1 partially sectioned to expose twin agitators of a preferred embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 3, shown on the sheet with FIG. I, is a section view of an agitator, agitator mounting structure, and drive pulley of the laundry machine shown in FIG. 1 as taken along line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4, shown beside FIG. 3 on the sheet with FIG. 1, is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of one of the agitators as taken along line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5, shown on the third sheet of drawings, is a rear view of the washing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and illustrates the drive system for the twin agitators;

FIG. 6 is an electrical diagrammatic sketch showing the control system for the washing apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic chart showing the switching of the timer contacts shown in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a laundry machine 10 including washing and centrifugal extraction portions 11 and 12 enclosed within a tub 14 and in turn in a cabinet structure 15. The cabinet structure I5 includes, as best shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, a wraparound sidewall portion 16, a lower front panel 19, a rear panel 20, a base 21, and a top cover 23. The washing and centrifugal extraction portions II and 12 are individually accessible through a pair of panels or lids 24 and 25 mounted on the top cover 23. The instant invention is primarily directed to the washing portion 11 of the laundry machine 10 and the agitation means comprising a pair of agitators 26 disposed within the washing container 29 defined by tub l4.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the tub I4 defines a substantially rectangular washing container 29 hav ing substantially rectangular washing container 29 having substantially vertical sides that join with adjacent sides at a substantially right angle comer such as at 30. The washing container 29 includes a bottom wall 31 having a conduit 33 connected with a pump (not shown) operable for removing washing fluid from the container 29 upon completion of the washing operation.

The pair of agitators 26 are positioned in the washing container 29 on the rear sidewall 34 of the tub 14 in a side-by-side relationship with the axis of rotation of each of the agitators 26 being substantially parallel to the other. In this preferred embodiment, the agitators 26 are positioned in a horizontally related side-by-side position. The agitators 26 are substantially identical and therefore explanation of the construction and mounting of one of the agitators suffices. A section view of the agitator 26 is shown in FIG. 3 as taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

The agitator 26 is a molded one-piece construction having a plurality of projecting vanes 40, wherein the shape is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Each agitator includes four vanes in the preferred embodiment. The portion 41 between the adjacent vanes 40 is substantially flush with the rear wall 34 of the washing container 29.

The agitator 26 and drive pulley 43 are cooperatively mounted on the rear sidewall 34. The rear sidewall 34 comprises a thin wall construction having a pair of openings 44 formed therein and surrounded by an annular recess 45. In a preferred embodiment, the tub l4, and therefore the rear wall 34, is integrally formed of a plastic material. The thin wall construction is reinforced with a rigid plate 49 attached by threaded members 50 to molded studs 51 projecting rearwardly from the sidewall 34. The rigid plate 49 includes a pair of hubs 53 and a plurality of webs S4 interconnecting the hubs 53 and stud receiving sockets 55. Each hub 53 includes a plurality of radially inwardly extending ribs 57 for supporting a pair of bearings 56 and defining pockets for lubrication material 59. A felt washer 58 is positioned on the shaft 60 at the inside end of the hub. A shaft member 60 is rotatively supported by the pair of bearings 56 and includes end portions extending outwardly from the bearings. At the rear end 61, the drive pulley 43 is fixed to the shaft 60 by a cross pin 63.

At the other end or front end 64 of the shaft 60 and disposed within the washing container 29 is the agitator 26 securely fixed to the shaft 60 as by a press fit with a hub 65 molded within the plastic agitator 26.

A water seal assembly 69 is disposed between the agitator hub 65 and the annular flange 70 surrounding the opening 44 in the rear wall 34 to seal the opening 44 against escape of fluids from the washing container 29. The seal assembly 69 includes a resilient member 71 having a seal nose 72 dynamically engageable with the agitator hub 65 to effect a seal therewith under the biasing of a spring member 73. A slinger is positioned on the shaft 60 adjacent to the spring member 73 with a small drain passage (not shown) being provided through the rear wall 34 below openings 44 to drain the space behind seal 69 of possible seepage.

Referring to FIG. 5, an elevation view shows the rear wall 34, the rigid plate 49 and the drive pulleys 43. The drive motor 79 is securely mounted on the base 2i of the laundry apparatus by a mounting bracket 80 and is operable for effecting a common drive of the pair of pulleys 43 through an endless drive belt 81 having a round section and stretch characteristics. The motor 79 is rated at one-fourth hp. and operable at 1,725 rpm. for driving the agitators 26 at approximately 400 r.p.m. The motor 79 is bidirectionally operable for driving the agitators 26 in first one direction and then the other direction under control of a control circuit including a timer shown schematically in FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 6, the electrical circuit for the laundry apparatus is shown schematically and includes lIO-volt power input across lines 83 and 84. Connected between the lines 33 and 84 is motor 85 that is not shown in the other views but is operable in the washing machine for centrifugally driving the fabric container spinner and motor 79 operable for driving the agitator pulleys 43. The circuit also includes a timer motor 89 operable for sequentially operating timer contact pairs 90 through 93 between open and closed positions as shown in FIG. 7, wherein the shaded portions indicate the intervals in which the respective contact pair is closed.

The agitating motor control circuit includes centrifugal switch 94 and the timer contact pairs 90 through 93. Timer contact pair 90 is effectively a motor on-off switch and is closed upon the manual advancing of the timer out of the off section 95 of the cam profile, as shown in FIG. 7, for initiating the washing cycle. The timer contact pair 91, however, is periodically opened during the washing cycle, as also shown in FIG. 7, to permit the motor 79 to stop for reversing the direction of rotation. The contact pairs 92 and 93 are operable to a closed position one at a time during alternate halfminutes to selectively energize one of a pair of start windings 96 and 97 to effect the desired direction of rotation. Both start windings 96 and 97 are removed from the circuit upon operation of the centrifugal switch 94 to the open position at a predetermined operating speed of the motor 79. The motor continues to operate in the selected direction through continued energization of the run winding 98.

It is therefore seen that, upon initiation of the washing cycle, timer contact pair 90 will close and energize the timer motor 89 for driving the timer to effect sequential operation of contacts 91 through 93 and thereby effect an alternating directional drive of the motor 79. A preferred sequencing of timer contacts 91 through 93 effects rotation of the motor in a first direction for a period of approximately seconds followed by a pause of 5 seconds for reversing the direction of rotation. The motor 79 is then operated in the opposite direction for 25 seconds.

The frequency of direction-reversal must be such as to occur before some of the fabrics move into a position of twisting and tangling with the other fabrics in the washing container. The time at which the twisting and tangling begins has a regularity that depends on a number of factors including the size of the fluid container, the size of the agitator, the location of the agitator within the fluid container, and the speed of the agitator. The operation in each direction for 25 seconds with each period followed by a S-second pause has been found to be effective in the apparatus of the preferred embodiment for preventing tangling, balling up, and bogging down while achieving good washability.

A specific example of the preferred embodiment includes the following parameters:

tub size: approximately l3 l4Xl5 inches deep agitator size: approximately 6 inches diameter with four vanes projecting approximately 1% inches agitator speed: approximately 400 rpm.

location of agitator: fully submerged but generally above the center of the fluid container and side-by-side on one sidewall quantity of washing liquid: approximately 1 1 gallons sequence by reversal: 25 seconds clockwise, 5 seconds pause, 25 seconds counterclockwise, 5 seconds pause Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown a fluid deflector MN) mounted on the rear wall 34 of the washing container disposed above the side-by-side agitators 26 and extending substantially horizontally between opposed sidewalls 101 and 102. The deflector 190 is attached to the rear sidewall 34 by a plurality of screws I03. Disposed at each end of the deflector is a seal member 104. The deflector is positioned at approximately the recommended fluid level for washing and includes a downwardly facing concave-type surface 105 for receiving the fluid from the agitators 26 and redirecting it downwardly in the body of fluid. The continuous rotation of the agitators 26 in one direction or the other establishes a substantially continuous type fluid flow from the agitator for a predetermined period and includes a component directed upwardly from the outer edge of the agitator vanes 40 toward the deflector 100 and then downwardly into the fluid container in a direction tending to assist movement of fabrics witliin the washing container. If the level of the washing fluid is below the deflector 109, the deflector will redirect splash from the agitators 26 downwardly into the container. The deflector, therefore, permits operation of the washing machine with the lid 24 in the open condition.

In summary, it is clear that the instant invention provides an improved washing apparatus in which a pair of wall-mounted agitators 26 are operable in a unique combination. The compactness of the washing apparatus is enhanced by the agitators which occupy relatively little space within the container 29. Furthermore, the wall-mounted continuously bidirectionally rotatable agitators permit a relatively simple drive system and, in cooperation with the reversing drive for the agitators 26, avoids the common tangling and balling problems heretofore encountered with continuously unidirectionally rotatable agitators. Still further, the provision for a fluid deflector I00 positioned above the agitators assists the washing operation and permits operation of the device with the lid open.

in the drawings and specifications, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and although specific terms are employed these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in form and the proportion of parts as well as the substitution of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.

Iclaim:

1. In a washing machine, the combination comprising: a washing container for receiving fabrics and washing fluid and having a substantially vertical sidewall; a pair of agitators mounted in side-by-side juxtaposition on said sidewall for operation within said container, the axis of rotation of each of said agitators being generally parallel to the other; a horizontally extending deflector spaced above said agitators, said deflector being mounted on said sidewall and having an effective length approximating the overall width of said pair of sideby-side agitators; and drive means for operating said agitators to effect a washing of said fabrics in said liquid.

2. In a washing machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said side-by-side agitators have a combined width approximating the width of said sidewall and wherein said drive means is operable for rotating said pair of agitators in a common direction.

3. In a washing machine as defined in claim 2 and further including means for controlling said drive means to effect rotation of said agitators alternately in a first direction and a second direction.

4. In a washing machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said side-by-side agitators are mounted in a horizontally related side-by-side position occupying substantially the width of said sidewall and wherein the fluid deflector horizontally extends the full width of said sidewall to redirect fluid from said pair of agitators.

5. in a washing machine as described in claim I wherein said deflector is disposed at approximately the surface of said washing fluid.

6. In a washing machine, the combination comprising: a washing container for receiving fabrics and washing fluid and having a substantially vertical sidewall; a pair of agitators mounted in side-by-side juxtaposition on said sidewall for rotation within said container on generally parallel and horizontal axes of rotation; a horizontally extending deflector spaced above said agitators, said deflector being mounted on said sidewall and having an efi'ective length approximating the overall width of said pair of side-by-side agitators; bidirectional drive means for rotating said agitators alternately in first and second common directions to effect a washing of said fabrics in said fluid.

7. In a washing machine as defined in claim 6 wherein said drive means includes a bidirectional motor and means for controlling said motor to alternately rotate said agitators in said first direction and then said second direction.

8. In a washing machine as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for controlling the motor includes timing means for effecting operation said agitators in each of said first and second directions for predetermined time periods.

9. In a washing machine as defined in claim 7 wherein said drive means includes a pair of drive pulleys for driving said pair of agitators and wherein said drive means further includes a motor and an endless belt drivingly connecting said motor to said pair of pulleys.

10. In a washing machine, the combination comprising: a substantially rectangular washing container for receiving fabrics and washing liquid and having a sidewall in a substantially vertical plane; a pair of agitators mounted horizontally side-by-side on said sidewall for operation within said container on generally parallel axes of rotation, each of said agitators having a diameter of approximately one-half of the width of said sidewall whereby said pair of agitators effectively span the width of said sidewall; drive means for selectively operating said agitators to effect a washing of said fabrics in said liquid; and a horizontally extending liquid deflector means mounted on said sidewall above said agitators for redirecting liquid within said container.

II. In a washing machine as defined in claim 10 wherein said liquid deflector means includes a generally downwardly facing concave portion and wherein said deflector means extends between the opposed walls of said rectangular container that are adjacent to said sidewall. 

1. In a washing machine, the combination comprising: a washing container for receiving fabrics and washing fluid and having a substantially vertical sidewall; a pair of agitators mounted in side-by-side juxtaposition on said sidewall for operation within said container, the axis of rotation of each of said agitators being generally parallel to the other; a horizontally extending deflector spaced above said agitators, said deflector being mounted on said sidewall and having an effective length approximating the overall width of said pair of side-by-side agitators; and drive means for operating said agitators to effect a washing of said fabrics in said liquid.
 2. In a washing machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said side-by-side agitators have a combined width approximating the width of said sidewall and wherein said drive means is operable for rotating said pair of agitators in a common direction.
 3. In a washing machine as defined in claim 2 and further including means for controlling said drive means to effect rotation of said agitators alternately in a first direction and a second direction.
 4. In a washing machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said side-by-side agitators are mounted in a horizontally related side-by-side position occupying substantially the width of said sidewall and wherein the fluid deflector horizontally extends the full width of said sidewall to redirect fluid from said pair of agitators.
 5. In a washing machine as described in claim 1 wherein said deflector is disposed at approximately the surface of said washing fluid.
 6. In a washing machine, the combination comprising: a washing container for receiving fabrics and washing fluid and having a substantially vertical sidewall; a pair of agitators mounted in side-by-side juxtaposition on said sidewall for rotation within said container on generally parallel and horizontal axes of rotation; a horizontally extending deflector spaced above said agitators, said deflector being mounted on said sidewall and having an effective length approximating the overall width of said pair of side-by-side agitators; bidirectional drive means for rotating said agitators alternately in first and second common directions to effect a washing of said fabrics in said fluid.
 7. In a washing machine as defined in claim 6 wherein said drive means includes a bidirectional motor and means for controlling said motor to alternately rotate said agitators in said first direction and then said second direction.
 8. In a washing machine as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for controlling the motor includes timing means for effecting operation said agitators in each of said first and second directions for predetermined time periods.
 9. In a washing machine as defined in claim 7 wherein said drive means includes a pair of drive pulleys for driving said pair of agitators and wherein said drive means further includes a motor and an endless belt drivingly connecting said motor to said pair of pulleys.
 10. In a washing machine, the combination comprising: a substantially rectangular washing container for receiving fabrics and washing liquid and having a sidewall in a substantially vertical plane; a pair of agitators mounted horizontally side-by-side on said sidewall for operation within said container on generally parallel axes of rotation, each of said agitators having a diameter of approximately one-half of the width of said sidewall whereby said pair of agitators effectively span the width of said sidewall; drive means for selectively operating said agitators to effect a washing of said fabrics in said liquid; and a horizontally extending liquid deflector means mounted on said sidewall above said agitators for redirecting liquid within said container.
 11. In a washing machine as defined in claim 10 wherein said liquid deflector means includes a generally downwardly facing concave portion and wherein said deflector means extends between the opposed walls of said rectangular container that are adjacent to said sidewall. 